A Comparative Study of the Metabolism of 6-Methylbenzo [A] Pyrene and Benzo [A] Pyrene by Rat Liver Microsomes
Abstract
In several types of carcinogenicity studies, 6-methylbenzo[a]- pyrene (6-MBaP) was found to be moderately active as a tumorigen, although with potency less than that of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). BaP is metabolically converted to an ultimate carcinogen, the BaP (+)-trans-7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide, by an activation pathway that proceeds via a (-)-trans-7,8-diol metabolite intermediate. It has not been established if 6-MBaP is activated by a similar pathway, and alternative mechanisms for the bioactivation of 6-MBaP have been proposed which involve reactive species other than a diol epoxide. The major goal of this study was to determine the effect of methyl substitution at position six on the in vitro metabolism of 6-MBaP relative to that of BaP in order to better understand the molecular basis for differences in the biological activities of the two compounds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 24, 1984
- Accession Number
- AD1010710
Entities
People
- Karen L. Hamernik
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences